(BRONX, NEW YORK, USA) Immigrants in the Bronx say they were pushed into deportation because of their lawyers’ misconduct, with one name now tied to a sweeping case: Kofi Amankwaa, a former immigration attorney sentenced in February 2024 to 70 months in federal prison for a $16 million immigration fraud scheme centered on false claims under the Violence Against Women Act, or VAWA. Prosecutors said his filings led to people being removed from the country, separated from families, and branded with fraud through no fault of their own. As one victim put it, they were deported “because of someone else’s mistake.”
According to federal court records summarized in local filings, Amankwaa also faces $16 million in restitution and $13 million in penalties. Investigators said his conduct exploited fear and confusion in immigrant communities, turning what should have been a path to lawful status into a trap that later triggered deportation proceedings.
In a separate 2024 case, a Queens woman was indicted for posing as a lawyer and taking $73,000 from ten Bronx clients of Caribbean descent. Officials said every application she submitted was rejected. The Bronx District Attorney and the New York Attorney General have urged residents to report suspected immigration fraud, stressing that even when scams are exposed the damage can linger—lost years, broken families, and an immigration record clouded by someone else’s lies.
Sentencing and scheme details
Prosecutors say Amankwaa filed fraudulent VAWA petitions by falsely alleging abuse, in some cases claiming U.S. citizen children abused their parents, to try to secure immigration relief.
- Under federal law, VAWA allows certain survivors of domestic abuse to apply for status without relying on the abuser.
- The correct process involves filing Form I-360, the VAWA self-petition, with detailed supporting evidence.
Investigators say Amankwaa’s filings used false facts without verification, creating a pattern of deception that later unraveled in immigration court and during benefits reviews. When a VAWA I-360 collapses, everything that depends on it can fall apart too—work permits, pending green card steps, or defenses in removal cases. That is how immigration fraud by a trusted lawyer can end in deportation for the client.
People from Mexican and Caribbean communities in the Bronx who believed they were following a lawful path instead faced removal and family separation when their petitions were exposed as fraudulent. Victims described paying high fees and trusting a known local attorney to guide them through a complex system. Instead, they later learned false information had been sent to federal agencies in their name. Some were detained; others endured painful public hearings. Many now fear any new application will be tainted by the past.
Authorities say this pattern shows why immigrants should confirm credentials and demand copies of everything filed in their name. In the Queens case, officials said the defendant had no law license at all, yet collected thousands by promising fast approvals that never came. Every submission was rejected, leaving clients with empty pockets and rejected records.
“Report the fraud, gather your documents, and protect your case.”
— Message from Bronx prosecutors
Community impact
Local officials say the fallout is real and immediate: families split, jobs lost, and years of progress erased. For many, deportation or the threat of it followed directly from a fraudulent filing they did not authorize or understand.
Concrete consequences described by residents include:
- Parents missing birthdays and family events after sudden deportations
- Teenagers witnessing a parent detained during routine check-ins
- Workers losing jobs when work authorization was revoked
The legal system offers some tools to challenge wrongful outcomes—motions to reopen, credible fear interviews in some contexts, and limited waivers—but each path is technical and depends on clean, truthful records.
What victims can do (practical steps)
The Bronx District Attorney’s Immigrant Affairs Unit is urging affected residents to reach out. Contact details: 718-838-7201 and [email protected]. Staff can help document complaints and work with law enforcement on ongoing cases.
Advocates note people often feel shame about being scammed or worry that reporting a lawyer will hurt their case. Prosecutors counter that reporting can help fix the record, protect others, and support motions to reopen in certain cases.
Essential documents and actions to build a defense:
- Complaints and affidavits describing what happened
- Receipts showing payments to the alleged lawyer
- Copies of every filing submitted to immigration authorities
- A personal timeline of events and interactions
Helpful practical rules:
- If a lawyer insists on lying in forms or asks you to sign blank pages, walk away.
- Always verify your representative’s license — check bar numbers and disciplinary history through state bar directories.
- Ask for a printed receipt for every payment and copies of each document sent under your name.
- Keep a personal file with your case number, notices, and all correspondence.
Reliable resources and official guidance
Officials encourage residents to learn how the real process works. For VAWA cases, the correct self-petition is Form I-360. Reliable guidance is available on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services site.
- See the official USCIS page for VAWA self-petitions: Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant
- USCIS tips on spotting legal scams: Avoid Scams
Prevention and community response
Community groups are hosting know-your-rights sessions that cover:
- How to check a lawyer’s status
- How to read a receipt notice
- How to identify real notices from U.S. immigration agencies versus fake paperwork
For many residents, distinguishing a licensed attorney from a notario can be lifesaving. Officials urge people to slow down, ask questions, and confirm credentials before signing anything.
Broader lessons and aftermath
Amankwaa’s sentence—nearly six years—reflects the scale of harm and the number of lives thrown into chaos. But prison time does not fix broken families or erase multi-year bars that follow a removal. Some victims may try to return lawfully one day; others are now afraid to engage with the system at all.
For those still in the Bronx, the key steps are clear:
- Build a clean record from here forward
- Keep careful files of all interactions and filings
- Seek licensed, reputable legal help
The Bronx DA and New York Attorney General say they will continue prosecuting immigration fraud and urge anyone harmed to come forward. In a borough where trust is often built by word of mouth, officials stress residents should double-check before they pay, and remember that the wrong signature can lead to the worst outcome—deportation caused by “someone else’s mistake.”
This Article in a Nutshell
Federal prosecutors convicted immigration attorney Kofi Amankwaa for orchestrating a $16 million fraud that used falsified VAWA I-360 petitions to obtain benefits for clients. Sentenced to 70 months in prison in February 2024, Amankwaa also faces $16 million in restitution and $13 million in penalties. Authorities say his false filings led to deportations, family separations, and long-term immigration consequences for victims in the Bronx, including Mexican and Caribbean communities. A separate Queens indictment involves a woman who posed as a lawyer and collected $73,000 from clients whose applications were rejected. Officials urge victims to report fraud, verify lawyers’ credentials, and gather documentation to pursue motions to reopen or other remedies. The Bronx DA’s Immigrant Affairs Unit offers support at 718-838-7201 and [email protected].
